Caption: Pantothenic acid. Artwork based on a polarised light micrograph of crystals of pantothenic acid, once known as vitamin B5. Pantothenic acid is a component of Coenzyme A (CoA). As such, it is vital to carbohydrate metabolism and energy production. Good dietary sources of pantothenic acid include liver and kidney, peanuts, wholegrain cereals and yeast. Synthetic dietary supplements such as calcium pantothenate can be usually taken as part of a B-complex vitamin tablet. Vitamin supplements are used by people whose diet is low in nutrition, or those who need excess vitamins, such as pregnant or post-natal women, and the very young and elderly.